Leopold Godowsky

Leopold Godowsky (1870-1938), Polish American pianist and composer, one of the outstanding piano virtuosos of his era. Born in Wilno (now Vilnius, Lithuania), he studied in Berlin and later with the French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. He made his concert debut at the age of nine and toured internationally until 1930, when he suffered a stroke. After 1891 he lived mainly in the U.S. He taught in Philadelphia, New York City, and Chicago and also in Vienna (1909-14). Godowsky was acclaimed for his brilliant piano technique. His compositions include three symphonic Metamorphoses and such difficult piano works as Triakontameron (1920).